LOS ANGELES – Jan. 9, 2015 – AXS TV’s INSIDE MMA kicked off its first show 2015 with newly signed UFC fighter and former professional wrestler Phil “CM Punk” Brooks who appeared alongside his new coach Duke Roufus. During the interview, series hosts Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten asked Brooks about his prospective weight class, potential UFC matchups, and his training progress so far.

Said Brooks about potential UFC matchups and his weight class:

“There’s never been a list of guys. We’ve never talked about potential opponents because… I think originally Dana [White], myself and Lorenzo [Fertitta] all said 185 [pounds]. When I had my initial meeting they flew out to Chicago I was walking around at like 220 [pounds]…. And the weight just keeps coming off and keeps coming off so once we nail down that I’m sure in about six months we might entertain who I would fight.

Said Brooks about his start in MMA:

“I’m not calling anybody out. I tell people I’m calling myself out. I’m putting this all on me. I have a great trainer, there’s other great coaches here and the track record at Roufusport speaks for itself: Anthony Pettis, Ben Askren, Chico Camus, it goes on and on…..”

Then, legendary wrestling commentator Jim Ross appeared on INSIDE MMA and gave his opinion on Brooks’ transition from professional wrestling to the UFC. Ross’ interview is available online here: http://bit.ly/1KuJrUb

Next week, AXS TV FIGHTS debuts the inaugural Legacy Kickboxing event on Friday, January 16 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT live from the Bayou Music Center in Houston. UFC alum Pat Berry (16-6-1) faces Demoreo Dennis (9-3) and MMA and Kickboxing veteran Cosmo Alexandre (42-15) squares off against Regian Eersel (26-2) among other fights scheduled for the event.

Leading into the night’s action on Jan. 16, AXS TV premieres its NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING series at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Renowned combat sports commentator Mauro Ranallo and UFC Fighter and NJPW alum Josh Barnett provide English commentary for the historic match between Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Title at the Tokyo Dome.

ABOUT AXS TV FIGHTS

AXS TV Fights presents more LIVE mixed martial arts and kickboxing events than any other television network with 40+ LIVE world-class fight cards each year. “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and UFC Hall of Famer Pat Miletich call all the action as champions, challengers, and top prospects take center stage every Friday night at 10pE/7pP. AXS TV Fights can be found online, on Facebook and on Twitter. AXS TV is widely distributed in the U.S. via AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast/Xfinity, DIRECTV, DISH, Suddenlink, Verizon FiOS, and other cable, satellite and telco providers. The network is also carried in Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.